What caused this couple's dining chair to smoke?
- Replies 9
The morning routine for one couple took a dramatic turn when they discovered their dining chair on the brink of combustion.
In an event that would leave every homeowner stunned, the couple found their home could have easily become a fire scene, all due to a home accessory.
The bewildered couple captured the incident on video, showing smoke billowing from a large hole in the chair's padding.
'Something's trying to set this on fire,' the man can be heard saying in the video before identifying the unlikely culprit—a mirror from Woolworths left on the dining table.
The mirror, reflecting the morning sunlight, had concentrated the light onto the chair, causing it to heat up and start smoking.
After sharing their experience on social media, the couple found they were not alone. Other users chimed in with their own stories of near-misses caused by reflected sunlight.
'A double-sided mirror on my vanity burnt a hole through a wooden picture frame, definitely would have caught on fire a few minutes later!' one person commented.
Another shared, 'This happened to me once, mirror on the table set decorative wicker balls alight! I was lucky to get home in time to throw them out the door!'
The couple tagged Woolworths in their post, sparking a debate about whether the supermarket was to blame.
Some defended the store, pointing out that the incident resulted from the mirror's inherent properties, not a product defect.
'Guessing old mate didn't do science in school and forgot how mirrors work,' one person commented.
'How is this anyone's fault…that's what mirrors do with direct sunlight,' another added.
Superintendent Adam Dewberry confirmed that such incidents are extremely rare.
'You'd have to be really unlucky to have a really hot day, the weather conditions perfect, low humidity, magnification through your glass and your glass clean,' he said.
'It would have to be the perfect storm where everything is perfect for that to occur. But it can occur.'
Dewberry advised homeowners to be aware of the reflected sunlight to cause fires, especially during periods of strong sunlight.
He suggested checking for items that could magnify the sun's rays and taking preventative measures, such as drawing blinds or moving reflective objects out of direct sunlight.
Similarly, a spokesperson for Kidsafe Australia warned drivers, parents, and carers to ensure ‘there is no mirror, glass or magnifying item that could inadvertently focus sunlight onto any part of the vehicle's interior’.
You can watch the video below:
Credit: @hotforbooksmelbourne / TikTok
While some appliances or accessories can add sparkle and convenience to our homes, they may also cause serious risks.
In a previous story, a homeowner found her paddock ablaze due to a solar-powered LED light she bought at ALDI. You can read more about this story here.
Have you ever experienced a similar incident? Share your stories with us in the comments below.
In an event that would leave every homeowner stunned, the couple found their home could have easily become a fire scene, all due to a home accessory.
The bewildered couple captured the incident on video, showing smoke billowing from a large hole in the chair's padding.
'Something's trying to set this on fire,' the man can be heard saying in the video before identifying the unlikely culprit—a mirror from Woolworths left on the dining table.
The couple’s dining chair padding was smoking due to a Woolworths mirror. Credit: @hotforbooksmelbourne / TikTok
The mirror, reflecting the morning sunlight, had concentrated the light onto the chair, causing it to heat up and start smoking.
After sharing their experience on social media, the couple found they were not alone. Other users chimed in with their own stories of near-misses caused by reflected sunlight.
'A double-sided mirror on my vanity burnt a hole through a wooden picture frame, definitely would have caught on fire a few minutes later!' one person commented.
Another shared, 'This happened to me once, mirror on the table set decorative wicker balls alight! I was lucky to get home in time to throw them out the door!'
The couple tagged Woolworths in their post, sparking a debate about whether the supermarket was to blame.
Some defended the store, pointing out that the incident resulted from the mirror's inherent properties, not a product defect.
'Guessing old mate didn't do science in school and forgot how mirrors work,' one person commented.
'How is this anyone's fault…that's what mirrors do with direct sunlight,' another added.
Superintendent Adam Dewberry confirmed that such incidents are extremely rare.
'You'd have to be really unlucky to have a really hot day, the weather conditions perfect, low humidity, magnification through your glass and your glass clean,' he said.
'It would have to be the perfect storm where everything is perfect for that to occur. But it can occur.'
Dewberry advised homeowners to be aware of the reflected sunlight to cause fires, especially during periods of strong sunlight.
He suggested checking for items that could magnify the sun's rays and taking preventative measures, such as drawing blinds or moving reflective objects out of direct sunlight.
Similarly, a spokesperson for Kidsafe Australia warned drivers, parents, and carers to ensure ‘there is no mirror, glass or magnifying item that could inadvertently focus sunlight onto any part of the vehicle's interior’.
You can watch the video below:
Credit: @hotforbooksmelbourne / TikTok
While some appliances or accessories can add sparkle and convenience to our homes, they may also cause serious risks.
In a previous story, a homeowner found her paddock ablaze due to a solar-powered LED light she bought at ALDI. You can read more about this story here.
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